Internal-combustion engine and cylinder block therefor



y 1950 E. c; KIEKHAEFER 2,506,271

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE AND CYLINDER BLOCK THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 I III I lll III III Infill]. 3, m. 1- a; i

K Y m 5 w m w m r aw M 8 y 1950 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,506,271

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE AND cnmnm BLOCK THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 INVENTORQ ELMm kin wanna May 2, 1950 E. c.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION E KIEKHAEFER NGINE AND CYLINDER BLOCK THEREFOR Filed Sept. 5, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

E E F? firm K a E m m a m E May 2, 1950 v E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,505,271

, INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE AND CYLINDER BLOCK 'I'l-IEREFOR 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 5, 1947 IN VEN TOR.

Ema? kI'EKA/MFER BY Wadi n T'TORNE Y Patented May- 2, 1950 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE AND CYLINDER BLOCK THEREFOR Elmer C. Kiekliaefer, Cedar-burg, Wis.

Application September 5, 1947, Serial No. 772,348

20 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and contemplates the provision of a generally improved exhaust system and cooling system for such an engine;

In engine practice, particularly with respect to two cycle engines, whereinthe expulsion of exhaust gases from the cylinder chamber ,is still taking place when the fresh fuel mixture is entering the opposite side of the cylinder chamber, it is very important to expel a maximum amount of the exhaust gases from the cylinder chamber before the exhaust ports are closed off by the piston on its up stroke. In order to facilitate and to expedite the expulsion of the exhaust gases, it is desirable to permit expansion of the exhaust gases immediately after they are discharged from the exhaust ports in the cylinder wall and at the same time to effect a cooling of said exhaust gases wherein contraction of said exhaust gases takes place thereby effecting the expulsion of a maximum amount of the exhaust gases from the cylinder chamber.

A primary object of my invention is to provide 2 block in sidewise position with the cover plate attached;

a die cast engine block having an expansion chamber formed therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for cooling the exhaust gases immediately after they are discharged from the cylinder chamber.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for cooling the cylinder wall adjacent the exhaust ports to prevent distortion of said cylinder wall.

A further object of my invention is to provide an exhaust chamber which is inclined relative to the exhaust ports in the cylinder wall whereby expulsion of the exhaust gases into the expansion chamber is facilitated.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent 11 reading the following specification and upon examination of the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my engine in upright operating position, showing the engine as it may be used in connection with an outboard motor construction, parts being broken in section to better disclose my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the engine block alone shown in sidewise position with the crankcase casting and the cylinder cover casting secured thereto;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, but inverted to a sidewise position as in P18. 2;

Fig. 4 is' an underneath plan view of the engine 66 Fig. 5 is a detail view of the inner cover plate for the exhaust chamber; I

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the external cover plate for the exhaust chamber; and

Fig.- 7 is a detail view of the plate which separates the cover as shown in Fig. 6 from the exhaust chamber.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I have shown an engine block 1, preferably a die casting, to which a crankcase casting 2 is secured by means of bolts 3. A cover 4 is secured to the upper end of the engine block to close off the cylinder-chambers 5 and 6.

I have shown my invention in use with a two cylinder, alternate-firing two-cycle engine, however, it is understood that the invention may be used equally well with a single cylinder engine or an engine having more than two cylinders and I do not wish to be limited in the use of my invention with a two cylinder engine.

The engine block I is provided-on one side with a seriesof inlet ports l0 through which the fresh fuel mixture is admitted into the combustion chamber I by means of suitable valves 8. I have provided a series of exhaust ports 9 in the walls of cylinders 5 and 6 opposite the inlet ports I0. When the piston H has reached the peak of its up stroke and has started on its down stroke to a point where the connecting rod I2 is a few degrees beyond dead center then the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 1 is fired by means of a spark plug l4 which is threaded into the spark plug opening l3. When the upper face 15 of the piston H has traveled downwardly beyond the upper portions of the exhaust ports 9, then the exhaust gases which are in a compressed condition immediately begin flowing through the exhaust ports 9 into the exhaust chamber l6 and thence travel out through the opening I! in the engine block I. The exhaust gases, of course, continue to flow through exhaust ports 9 into chamber l6 until the exhaust ports are closed on by the piston on its return up stroke. When my invention is used with an outboard motor construction, the exhaust gases'travel through the opening I! in engine block I into drive shaft housing I 8 from which they are eventually expelled into the atmosphere or under water.

The expansion chamber I6 is formed inthe engine block I by means of the outwardly extendingupper and lower walls I! and 20 and thelside walls 2| and 22. It will be noted that the side wall 2i is located as nearly as possible to the outer end 23 of the engine block I thereby permittlng the exhaust gases to travel a substantial distance from exhaust ports 9 before being diverted in direction out through the opening I1. The location of the end wall 2| at the outer end of the engine block I also provides a large cubic area. for expansion of the exhaust gases immediately after they are discharged from the exhaust ports 9. The immediate expansion of the exhaust gases in expansion chamber I6 reduces back pressure at the exhaust ports 9 thereby facilitating and expediting the expulsion of the remaining exhaust gases in the combustion chamber I through the exhaust ports 9 before the piston II closes off the exhaust ports 9 on its return up stroke.

It will be noted that the side wall 2| extends outwardly a considerable distance beyond the side wall 22 which causes the closure plate 24 to be inclined relative to the exhaust ports 9 and the cylinder walls and 6. The closure Plate 25 is inclined substantially parallel to the plate 24 thereby causing the expansion chamber I6 to be inclined relative to the cylinder walls 5 and 6. It can thus be seen that the exhaust gases flow through the exhaust ports 9 into the expansion chamber I6 in a substantially continuous uniform direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 until they are diverted outwardly through opening I'I after striking the inner face 21 of end wall 2 I. This construction facilitates the expulsion of exhaust gases through exhaust ports 9.

When the exhaust gases are expelled through exhaust ports 9 into expansion chamber I6, they are very hot and, consequently, it is desirable to provide means for cooling said gases as soon as possible after their discharge through the exhaust ports 9. The cooling of the exhaust gases causes a contraction of the gases to take place. Thus back pressure at the exhaust ports 9 is reduced thereby facilitating and expediting expulslon of the remaining exhaust gases in combus tion chamber 1 before the piston I I closes oil the exhaust ports 9 on its return up stroke.

I have provided a forced circulating water system in which a pump 29 (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1) may be used to pump a continuous supply of water through inlet pipe 30. The pump 28 may have driving connection with the drive shaft 3| so as to operate whenever the engine is operating.

The water travels through the inlet pipe 30 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1 in a water passage (not shown) in engine block I until it reaches the water passage 32 formed in the upper end of the engine block I by means of the water retaining jacket 33 surrounding the cylinder walls 5 and 6. The cylinder cover 4 is provided with a water' passage 35 which registers with the water passage 32 in the engine block when the cover 4 is secured thereto. The water thus travels alongside of the cylinder walls 5 and 6 through passage 32 and it travels through the cover.4 via passage 35 thereby cooling the entire upper end of the cylinders and the cover 4. When the water reaches the opposite side of the cylinders where the inlet ports ID are located, then some of the water enters the water passage 31 located in the end wall 22 of the expansion chamsupply in passage 32 flows through the ducts 38 and 39 into the water retaining cavity 4| in the cover 42 through a pair of openings 43 and 44 in the plate 24 which register with the ducts 45 and 46 respectively, in the cover 42. The cover 42 is provided with a partitioning rib 41 which separates cavity 4| from cavity 48. An opening 49 establishes communication between the cavities 4| and 48. The water thus travels through cavity 4| thence through the opening 49 and then back through cavity 48 in the opposite direction where it enters the ducts 56 and 5| in cover 42. The plate is provided with a pair of openings 52 and 53 which register respectively with the ducts 50 and 5 I.

The water thus travels through the openings 52 and 53 in plate 24 down into passage 55 in the end wall 2| and in the upper wall I9 of expansion chamber I6. A small portion of the water thus travels along passage 55 in the end wall 2| and enters a restricted passage 58 into the water chamber 56 between the cylinder walls 5 and 6 and the cover plate 25 from where it is eventually expelled into the drive shaft housing I8 through outlet pipe 51. The greatest portion of the water travels through passage 55 in upper wall I9 of expansion chamber I6 and enters the upper end of chamber 56 through an opening 59, thence travels across the water chamber 56 and is expelled into the drive shaft housin I8 through the outlet pipe 51, thus completing the circulatory cycle of the water system.

It is to be noted that the expansion chamber I6 is surrounded on all sides, except the side where opening I1 is located, by water passages thereby effecting a substantial cooling of the exhaust gases as they enter the expansion chamber I6. It is also to be noted that the water passages surrounding the expansion chamber I6 are sealed off so that no water enters the expansion chamber I6. The cooling of the exhaust gases as they enter the expansion chamber I6 thus, of course, causes said gases to be contracted thereby facilitating expulsion of a greater amount of exhaust gases through the exhaust ports 9 before piston II closes oil said ports on its return up stroke.

An important feature of my invention resides in the provision of water chamber 56 along side of the lower region 6| of the cylinder walls 5 and 6 on the side of the cylinders where the exhaust ports 9 are located. This side of the cylinder is subjected to considerable heat due to the discharging of the hot exhaust gases through ports 9. It will be noted that the upper region 62 of cylinder walls 5 and 6 is maintained at proper temperature by the water in passages 32 and 35. Likewise the water in chamber 56 cools the lower region 6| of cylinder walls 5 and-6 sufliciently, thereby preventing the possibility of distortion in the cylinder walls.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 it will be noted that the mouth 64 of water chamber 56 provides a somewhat rectangular shaped flat surface area to which a gasket 65 is applied before the plate 25 is secured thereto. This gasket prevents the water in chamber 56 from leaking into the expansion chamber I6. It will be noted that the mouth 64 of water chamber 56 is located within ber I6 through the inlet ducts 38 and 39 which the side and end walls of expansion chamber I6.

are formed in the engine block I and which communicate with water passage 32 and it flows along passage 31 and is expelled into the drive shaft housing I8 through a restricted passage 48. The remainder (and far greater portion) of the water By using a die cast engine block, the flat surface area of mouth 64 is sufllciently uniform so that the gasket 65 functions satisfactorily to prevent water leaking into expansion chamber I 6. The outer facial area of mouth 66 of expansion chamvide a flat smooth surface for plate 24 thereby prevent water from getting into expansion chamber IO.

Having thusdescribed my invention .what I claim is: n

1. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, exhaust ports in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust chamber exteriorly ofthe cylinder chamber and having communication with the exhaust ports, said exhaust chamber extending downwardly and inclinedly from theiexhaust ports, wall members formed integrally with and projecting laterally of the engine block having water retaining jackets partially surrounding the exhaust chamber, a cover at one side of the exhaust chamber, and a plate interposed between the cover and the engine block to close off the exhaust chamber and providing a water conveying cavity between the plate and the cover, said cavity having inlet and outlet communication with the water passages defined bythe water retaining jackets of the engine block.

2. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, exhaust ports in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust chamber exteriorly of the cylinder chamber and having communication with the exhaust ports, wall members formed integrally with and projecting laterally of the engine block having water retaining jackets partially surrounding the exhaust chamber, a cover at one side of the exhaust chamber, a plate interposed between the cover and the engine block to close off the exhaust chamber and providing a water conveying cavity between the plate and the cover, and ports in said plate exteriorly of that portion of the plate which closes oil the exhaust chamber disposed to provide said cavity with inlet and outlet communication with the water passages defined by the water retaining jackets of the engine block.

3. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, exhaust ports in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust chamber exteriorly of the cylinder chamber and having communication with the exhaust ports, wall members formed integrally with and projecting laterally of the engine block having water retaining jackets partially surrounding the exhaust chamber, a cover at one side of the exhaust chamber, and a plate interposed between the cover and the engine block to close off the exhaust chamber and providing a water conveying cavity between the plate and the cover, said cavity having inlet and outlet communication with the water passages defined by the water retaining jackets of the engine block.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust expansion chamber exteriorly of the cylinder chamber into which the exhaust port opens, and water retaining jackets formed integrally with said block and surrounding a substantial portion of the exhaust expansion chamber, a cover for one side of the exhaust expansion chamber, a separate closure member between the exhaust expansion chamber and the cover for closing off that side of the exhaust expansion chamber facing the cover and providing a water conveying cavity between the closure member and the cover, said cavity having communication with the water passages defined by the water retaining jackets surrounding the exhaust chamber.

5. Inan internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber.

- and an exhaust expansion chamber exteriorly of the cylinder chamber into which the exhaust port opens, and water retaining jackets formed integrally with said block and surrounding a substantial portion of the exhaust expansion chamber, a cover for one side of the exhaust expansion chamber, a closure member between the exhaust expansion chamber and the cover and providing a water conveying cavity having communication with the water passages defined by the water retaining jackets surrounding the exhaust chamber, and a partition member between said communication means and between said closure member and the cover affording a circulation of the water flow throughout said cavity.

6. In aninternal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and a cavity formed exteriorly of said cylinder chamber, the exhaust port opening into said cavity, a closure member at the base of said cavity and between it and the lower wall of said cylinder chamber to provide a water cavity therebetween,

a second closure member spaced from the first closure member at the open end of the cavity; an exhaust chamber defined between the two closure members, and means disposed to conduct a flow of water behind each closure member for cooling the exhaust gases in the exhaust chamber.

'1. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and a cavity in the engine block exteriorly of the cylinder chamber into which the exhaust port opens, a plate extending across the cavity and closing off a portion of the cavity adjacent the cylinder wall, and means disposed to conduct a flow of water past the cylinder wall and the plate a for cooling purposes.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an en- 'gine block having a cylinder chamber therein,

an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust chamber exteriorly of the cylinder wall into which the exhaust port opens, a closure member wholly disposed within the exhaust chamber closing off a portion of the exhaust chamber adjacent the cylinder wall, and ports in the closed of! portion of the exhaust chamber for conducting a flow of water into one end thereof and out the other end thereof.

9. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the wall of said cylinder chamber, and an exhaust chamber exteriorly of the cylinder chamber into which the exhaust port opens, said exhaust chamber being formed by outwardly extending walls of the engine block, a plate in said exhaust chamber secured to the engine block in spaced relation to the cylinder wall so as to form a chamber between said plate and the cylinder wall, said engine block having a water jacket in the outwardly extending walls surrounding the exhaust chamber, and means disposed to discharge water into the chamber between said plate and cylinder wall, said water traveling through the chamber between the plate and the cylinder wall and being expelled through a port at the opposite side thereof.

10. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the cylinder wall, and a walled cavity exteriorly of the cylinder chamber, said exhaust port opening into the cavity, a plate adjacent said ports and wholly disposed within said cavity to close ofi a portion of the cavity adjacent the cylinder wall. a second plate at the mouth of the cavity, and a cover exteriorly of the second plate and defining a water retaining cavity between the cover and the second plate.

11. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the cylinder wall, and a walled cavity exteriorly of the cylinder chamber, said exhaust port opening into the cavity, a plate at the mouth of the cavity, a cover exteriorly of the plate, the inner wall of said cover being spaced from the plate, and water passages in the walls of the cavity and in the engine block communicating with the space between the cover and the plate.

12. An internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 11 comprising a second plate closing off a portion of the cavity adjacent the cylinder wall to provide a jacket for the latter, and passages in the wall of the walled cavity disposed to establish communication between the space between said first plate and cover and said jacket for the discharge of water through the latter.

13. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder chamber therein, an exhaust port in the cylinder wall, and a walled cavity exteriorly of the cylinder chamber, said exhaust port opening into the cavity, a plate at the mouth of the cavity, a cover exteriorly of the plate, the inner wall of said cover being spaced from the plate, and water passages in the walls of the cavity and in the engine block, said passages including a conduit passage through said plate from the engine block water passages to the region between the cover and the plate and a second conduit passage through said plate from the region defined by the cover and plate to the water passages in the walls of the walled cavity.

14. An internal combustion engine as defined by claim 13 comprising a second plate closing off a, portion of the cavity adjacent the cylinder wall to provide a jacket for the latter, and a port opening in one of the walls of the walled cavity disposed to establish communication between the water passages in the walls of the walled cavity and the region between the second plate and the cylinder wall.

15. An internal combustion engine as defined by claim 13 comprising a second plate closing off a portion of the cavity adjacent the cylinder wall to provide a jacket for the latter, and a port opening in one of the walls of the walled cavity disposed to establish communication between the water passages in the walls of the walled cavity and the region between the second plate and the cylinder wall, and a discharge port in the opposite wall of the walled cavity disposed to provide the ultimate outlet for the water.

16. An engine block for an internal combustion engine comprising a, cylinder portion, a walled cavity portion commencing at the cylinder portion and extending outwardly in a direction laterally of the cylinder portion, a second walled cavity portion commencing at the cylinder portion on the same side thereof as the first walled cavity portion and extending outwardly in a direction laterally of the cylinder portion and interiorly of the first walled cavity portion, the facial extremity of the second walled cavity portion lying in a plane closer to the cylinder portion than the plane defined by the facial extremity of the first walled cavity portion, and a closure removably secured to the facial extremity of each of said walled cavity portions.

17. An engine block for an internal combustion engine as set forth in claim- 16 wherein the plane of the facial extremity of the first walled cavity portion is inclined relative to the cylinder portion nd the plane of the facial extremity of the second walled cavity portion is substantially parallel tothe first mentioned plane.

18. In an internal combustion engine, a. cylinder block comprising cylinder exhaust ports in one side of said block, a projecting wall formed integrally with said block circumferentially defining a cavity in the side of said block adjacent said ports, a second projecting wall formed integrally with said block circumferentially of said first named wall and said ports and defining a second cavity in the side of said block communicating with said ports, said block having an opening communicating with said second cavity, and cover plates seated on and secured over the respective walls closing the respective cavities and defining therebetween an expansion chamber receiving exhaust from said ports for discharge through said opening.

19. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder block comprising a combustion chamber, a recess in one side of said block, a cover member removably secured to said block over said recess, oppositely facing cavities formed in said block and cover member opening into said recess, re-

movable plate members within said chamber closing the respective cavities, exhaust ports in said block opening from said chamber into said recess, an exhaust discharge passage from said recess through said block, and means circulating coolant through said cavities whereby the exhaust gases passing from said ports and circulating within said chamber between said plates are cooled before being discharged through said passage from said block.

20. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder block having a cylinder bore opening at one end of said block and having a, recess in one side of said block, a cover member removably secured to said block over said recess and having a recess complementary to that of said block, a fiat metal plate disposed between said block and cover dividing said recesses and defining separate chambers, means circulating coolant through the chamber between said cover and said plate, and a passage from said bore opening through the side of said block and into the other of said chambers on the opposite side of said plate whereby exhaust gases passing therethrough are cooled within said block before discharge from said latter chamber.

Ell-MER. C. KIEKHAEFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 825,923 Monahan July 17. 1906 2,067,253 Wohanka Jan. 12, 1937 2,418,741 Williams Apr. 8, 1947 

